BRAVERY: Alex Lewis had a gruelling operation to rebuild his face [SOLENT]

Alex Lewis, 34, lost his arms, legs and lips to the deadly virus and has now had his face transformed using flesh from his shoulder.

The brave quadruple amputee underwent two days of gruelling surgery to give him back his smile.

He underwent six hours under the knife at Salisbury District Hospital while surgeon Dr Alexandra Crick opened up his mouth and stitched in a temporary sponge foam.

The operation left Mr Lewis "petrified" but he is now confident that one day he will smile again.

Mr Lewis, who lives in Stockbridge, Hants, with wife Lucy and their three-year-old son Sam, said: "This feels like an incredible step forward to the end result.

THANKFUL: Mr Lewis has remained positive through his terrifying ordeal [SOLENT]

“At this moment I am 100 per cent at ease with myself and I don't feel concerned for what the future holds. I think the future is good”

Alex Lewis

"But I have never felt so scared. I was absolutely petrified."

Mr Lewis had all four limbs removed when a Strep A infection developed into septicaemia and toxic shock syndrome in November.

He lost his lips to the deadly bug and spent a week in a coma as the deadly bacteria wreaked havoc through his body.

But his latest operation has been one of the toughest for him to come to terms with.

Mr Lewis said: "It's the strangest thing, when it comes to limb loss, you can cope with it.

"It is something you can adapt to because you know long-term you will walk again and you will use your arms again in some form.

"When it comes to facial reconstruction or facial disfigurement, I think vanity gets the better of you."

STOIC: Mr Lewis wants to be an inspiration to his son [SOLENT]

The new skin around Mr Lewis' lips will eventually turn the same colour as his face, the skin will shrink and there will be no scarring.

In six months he will undergo more surgery to chisel in the shape of his lips and shadow lines before having the texture tattooed on.

Mr Lewis credits the support of his family and friends for getting him through the past nine months and wants his photos to be published so that he can be a role model to his son Sam.

And though nervous about people's reactions to his new face, he is looking forward to showing off the impressive surgery to the outside world and sending a positive message to others with facial disfigurements.

"This whole process has made me see what I've got which is just so amazing.

"At this moment I am 100 per cent at ease with myself and I don't feel concerned for what the future holds. I think the future is good.

Mr Lewis has set up the Al Lewis Trust to raise money for rehabilitation costs and help other civilian amputees.